Is Chewing Clothes a Sign of Autism? What Parents Should Know

Is chewing clothes a sign of autism? This is a question many parents ask when they notice their child constantly chewing on shirt sleeves, collars, or other clothing items. While this behaviour isn’t exclusive to autism, it is commonly seen in autistic children and often relates to how they process sensory information.

This guide looks at why chewing happens, what it might mean, and how to support children with these sensory needs. For many autistic people, chewing provides important sensory input that helps them manage an often overwhelming environment. It’s one way that some individuals on the autism spectrum might cope with sensory processing issues or self regulate when feeling anxious or overwhelmed.

Understanding the connection between chewing and sensory processing disorders can help parents provide better support and appropriate tools like sensory chew toys that meet these needs safely. Whether your child has autism or not, knowing more about this behaviour can help you respond with helpful strategies rather than frustration.

Key Takeaways

• Sensory Connection: Learn why chewing on things is often linked to sensory seeking behaviour and how it relates to autism spectrum disorder.
• Supportive Strategies: Discover practical alternatives like sensory chew toys that can help children meet their oral sensory needs safely.
• When to Seek Help: Understand when to consult an occupational therapist about excessive chewing and associated sensory processing disorders.

Why Children Chew on Clothes and Other Items

When a child starts chewing on their shirt collar, sleeves, or other non-food items, parents often worry about what this behaviour means. Chewing is actually quite common in young children and can happen for various reasons.

For many children, chewing provides a form of sensory stimulation that helps them process the world around them. The mouth is full of nerve endings, making it incredibly sensitive to touch and pressure. When a child chews, they receive strong sensory input that can help them feel more grounded in their environment.

Chewing can also be a way for children to:

• Calm themselves when feeling anxious
• Focus their attention on one task
• Self regulate when feeling overwhelmed
• Cope with changes in their environment

The Connection Between Chewing and Autism

For many autistic children, chewing is more than just a passing phase it’s a way to meet important sensory needs. Autism spectrum disorder often involves differences in how the brain processes sensory information.

Autistic people might experience:

• Heightened sensitivity to certain sensations
• Under-responsiveness to other sensory experiences
• Difficulty filtering out overwhelming input from their surroundings
• A need for additional sensory stimulation to help them focus

When an autistic person chews on clothing or other objects, they may be engaging in what’s known as oral stimming (or self stimulatory behaviour). This chewing provides a consistent, controllable sensory input that can help them cope with an overwhelming environment or alleviate anxiety.

Sensory processing disorders are common in people on the autism spectrum, though not everyone with these disorders is autistic. These conditions affect how the brain interprets information from the senses, which can lead to sensory seeking behaviours like chewing.

Signs That Chewing Might Be Related to Sensory Processing

How can you tell if your child’s chewing is related to sensory processing issues rather than just a typical developmental phase? Look for these patterns:

Sign	Description
Chewing Intensity	The chewing is persistent, forceful, or happens even when painful
When It Happens	Chewing increases during times of stress, transition, or sensory overload
Age Appropriateness	Continues well beyond the age when most children stop mouthing objects
Other Sensory Behaviours	Accompanied by other repetitive movements or sensory-seeking actions
Response to Intervention	Typical approaches to discourage chewing don’t work

If your child shows these signs alongside chewing, it might be worth considering a sensory processing assessment with an occupational therapist.

Beyond Autism: Other Reasons for Chewing

While chewing can be associated with autism, it’s important to know that many children without autism also chew on things. Other reasons include:

• Dental issues or teething discomfort
• Habit or boredom
• Anxiety or stress
• Attention-seeking behaviour
• ADHD or other neurodevelopmental conditions
• Developmental delay

Children with ADHD might chew to help them focus their noisy thoughts or to provide one focal point for their attention. The oral stimulation can help them concentrate on tasks that require sustained attention.

Helpful Approaches for Children Who Chew

Instead of trying to completely stop chewing, which might be meeting an important need, consider these supportive strategies:

Provide Safe Alternatives

Offering appropriate items to chew can protect clothing and provide a safe outlet for oral sensory needs:

• Sensory chew toys designed specifically for chewing
• Chewable jewellery that looks age-appropriate
• Water bottles with chewable straws
• Crunchy foods like carrot sticks or crisp apples

Sensory chew toy options have improved tremendously in recent years, with many designed to look like regular jewellery or accessories. This allows children to meet their sensory needs discreetly.

Create a Supportive Sensory Environment

Working with an occupational therapist to develop a personalised sensory diet can be incredibly helpful. A sensory diet is a carefully planned set of activities that provide appropriate sensory input throughout the day.

Elements might include:

• Deep pressure activities for body awareness
• Heavy work that engages the muscles and joints
• Oral motor exercises that provide appropriate oral stimulation
• Regular movement breaks to help with sensory regulation

Communication Strategies

For older children who can understand, explaining when and where chewing is appropriate can help them develop better awareness of their habits:

• Designate specific times or places for using chew toys
• Create simple signals to gently remind them about chewing in public
• Teach them to recognise when they feel the need to chew and how to address it appropriately

When to Seek Professional Support

If chewing is causing social difficulties, damage to teeth, or seems to be part of a broader pattern of sensory challenges, it’s worth consulting professionals:

Occupational Therapy

An occupational therapist with experience in sensory processing disorders can:

• Assess your child’s specific sensory needs
• Develop a tailored sensory diet to help with sensory regulation
• Suggest appropriate sensory chew toys and other tools
• Teach strategies to help your child recognise and meet their own sensory needs

Dental Consultation

A dentist should check if the chewing is causing:

• Damage to teeth
• Jaw pain or alignment issues
• Other dental issues that might need addressing

Developmental Assessment

If chewing is part of a pattern of concerns about your child’s development, a comprehensive evaluation might help identify if conditions like autism spectrum disorder or ADHD are present.

Supporting Older Children and Adults Who Chew

While chewing behaviours are often associated with young children, many older children and adults continue to have oral sensory needs. For these individuals, finding age-appropriate and socially acceptable ways to meet these needs is important.

Options might include:

• Discreet chewable jewellery designed for adults
• Chewing gum (when appropriate)
• Crunchy or chewy snacks that can be eaten throughout the day
• Sensory tools that can be used privately

For an autistic person who continues to chew into adulthood, having access to appropriate tools can make a significant difference in their ability to focus, manage stress, and navigate challenging sensory environments.

Chewing and Anxiety

For many people with sensory processing issues, chewing serves as a way to self soothe and alleviate anxiety. The rhythmic action of chewing provides a predictable sensory input that can be calming during times of stress or overwhelming stimulation.

Understanding this connection can help parents and caregivers recognise when increased chewing might signal rising anxiety levels. During particularly stressful periods, a child might need:

• Additional sensory supports
• More opportunities for self regulation
• Extra patience and understanding
• Temporary accommodations in challenging environments

Overall

Chewing clothes can indeed be a sign of autism, but it’s important to remember that this behaviour exists on a spectrum and appears in many children with various sensory needs. Rather than focusing solely on eliminating the chewing, understanding the underlying sensory needs and providing appropriate alternatives is usually more effective.

Working with professionals like an occupational therapist can help develop strategies tailored to your child’s specific needs. With the right support, children who chew can learn to manage their sensory needs in socially appropriate ways while still getting the input their bodies require.

Remember that chewing often serves an important purpose whether it’s helping with focus, managing stress, or processing sensory information. By recognising and respecting these needs while providing safe alternatives, you can support your child’s development and comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age should I be concerned about my child chewing on clothes?

Most babies and toddlers explore with their mouths, which is completely normal. If chewing persists beyond age 3-4 and is intense or frequent, it might warrant more depth of investigation, especially if accompanied by other developmental concerns.

Can sensory chewing be related to conditions other than autism?

Yes, chewing can be related to ADHD, anxiety disorders, sensory processing disorders without autism, and other developmental differences. It can also simply be a habit or comfort behaviour without any underlying condition.

Will my child outgrow chewing on their clothes?

Many children do outgrow this behaviour as they develop other coping mechanisms and their sensory systems mature. However, some individuals, particularly those with sensory processing issues or on the autism spectrum, may continue to benefit from oral sensory activities into adolescence or adulthood.

Are there risks associated with chewing on clothing?

Potential risks include dental issues, ingesting harmful substances from fabric treatments, choking hazards if pieces are bitten off, and social challenges. Providing healthy alternatives like dedicated sensory chew toys can mitigate these risks.

How can I help my child at school if they need to chew?

Work with teachers and an occupational therapist to find discreet solutions like chewable pencil toppers, water bottles with chewable straws, or appropriate chewable jewellery. A formal accommodation plan might be helpful for some children.

Is it possible to completely stop a child from chewing?

For many children with genuine sensory needs, trying to completely eliminate chewing isn’t advisable and may lead to increased anxiety or alternative problem behaviour. Instead, channelling the chewing to appropriate items and addressing underlying sensory needs is more effective.

How do I know if my child is chewing due to anxiety or sensory needs?

While there’s often overlap, anxiety-based chewing might increase during stressful situations and decrease when the child feels secure. Sensory-based chewing may happen consistently throughout the day or increase with sensory overload. An occupational therapist can help determine the primary drivers.

Why does my child chew on pen caps, shirt collars and other random objects?

Children often choose items based on texture, accessibility, and the particular sensory input they provide. Shirt collars are easily accessible, while pen caps might provide just the right resistance for chewing. Understanding these preferences can help you select appropriate alternatives.